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Search across 19,276 articles about elder fraud. Filter by fraud type, payment mechanism, or keywords.

7,397 results in Robocall / Phone Scam
radio.wpsu.org · 2025-12-08
Officials in Centre County hosted a "Scam Jam" event featuring fraud awareness education, as prosecutors report increased losses among seniors due to AI and new technology-enabled scams. A deputy district attorney highlighted a case where an elderly woman lost $20,000 to an AI voice scam impersonating her grandson, while recommending protective measures such as family passwords and direct verification of urgent requests. The educational initiative provides seniors with practical advice on avoiding common scams like card skimmers and AI-based fraud schemes.
siliconeer.com · 2025-12-08
In 2023, Americans aged 60 and older lost $3.4 billion to fraud, with California accounting for over $620 million across 11,000+ reports, and monolingual Chinese seniors in the Bay Area facing particularly high risk. Common scams targeting elders include investment fraud (especially cryptocurrency), tech support scams, romance scams, and impersonation schemes (often posing as government officials), with typical victims losing over $33,000. Experts recommend immediate reporting to financial institutions and law enforcement (FBI at 1-800-CALLFBI), noting that shame, language barriers, and fear of retaliation prevent many victims—particularly Asian Americans—from coming forwar
nj.com · 2025-12-08
Victor Anthony Valdez, a 39-year-old from the Bronx, was charged with wire fraud conspiracy for his role in an international "grandparent scam" that operated from Dominican Republic call centers and targeted elderly residents in New Jersey and New York between August 2020 and August 2021. Scammers impersonated grandchildren, their attorneys, or court officials to convince victims that their grandchildren needed bail money and legal fees, with Valdez serving as a courier to collect tens of thousands of dollars from the victims. The case highlights the ongoing threat of grandparent scams targeting elderly Americans, with the public encouraged to report suspected elder fraud to the FTC.
justice.gov · 2025-12-08
Victor Anthony Valdez, a 39-year-old from the Bronx, was charged with wire fraud conspiracy for acting as a courier in a transnational "grandparent scam" operated from call centers in the Dominican Republic between August 2020 and August 2021. The scheme involved scammers posing as grandchildren, attorneys, or court personnel to convince elderly American victims that their relatives had been arrested and needed bail money, with Valdez collecting tens of thousands of dollars from victims' homes in New York and New Jersey. If convicted, Valdez faces up to 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
itpro.com · 2025-12-08
Nearly two-thirds of finance professionals have been targeted by deepfake fraud, with 44% actually falling victim, according to new research by Medius. Cybercriminals are using AI-generated audio impersonating C-suite executives to trick finance employees into making unauthorized payments to fraudulent suppliers, with a notable case in which Arup's employee transferred £20 million to scammers. The research reveals critical vulnerabilities: 80% of finance workers said they would authorize payments based on a CEO or CFO's call, yet only 16% prioritize deepfake protection and just 5% are aware of defensive technology being used.
tech.hindustantimes.com · 2025-12-08
A 33-year-old woman from Udupi, Karnataka lost ₹7.9 lakh in a FedEx courier scam where fraudsters impersonating FedEx officials and Mumbai Police claimed her parcel contained illegal items (passports, debit cards, and MDMA drugs) and demanded money for police verification via Skype. The scam exploits victims by creating false urgency around seized parcels and fake law enforcement involvement to extract payments, though legitimate authorities never demand money for criminal verification purposes.
interestingengineering.com · 2025-12-08
Scammers used AI-generated deepfakes of Elon Musk on hijacked YouTube channels to conduct cryptocurrency fraud, with approximately 30,000 viewers tuning into a fake livestream where the deepfake promised to double deposited cryptocurrencies. This marks an escalation in online scams that increasingly exploit deepfake technology and celebrity identities; notably, similar scams involving rapper 50 Cent's hacked accounts generated $3 million in 30 minutes. Users are advised to remain cautious, as these scams operate across international networks and celebrities will never solicit cryptocurrency through social media or livestreams.
m.imdb.com · 2025-12-08
The provided article does not contain sufficient substantive information about an actual scam. While the headline suggests that Golden Bachelor contestant Faith Martin shared details about falling for an online scam on social media, the article body only contains background information about her appearance on the show and Gerry Turner's failed marriage, with the actual scam details cut off or missing from the text provided.
thestar.com.my · 2025-12-08
Romance scams using deepfake technology to impersonate others during video calls are emerging as a major threat, with the FBI reporting over $652 million in losses from romance and confidence scams in the US in 2023. Criminal groups known as "Yahoo Boys," primarily based in Nigeria, are using AI-generated fake video and audio to deceive victims into sending money by posing as romantic interests. To protect themselves, people should avoid sending money to strangers, secure their social media privacy settings, use secure communication channels, and report suspicious activity to authorities.
mcall.com · 2025-12-08
Elder fraud costs Americans over $37 billion annually, with common schemes including contractor fraud, sweepstakes scams, and romance/grandparent impersonation cons. Deputy prosecutor Paul Greenwood, who handled more than 750 elder abuse felony cases in San Diego, highlighted that criminals are becoming increasingly sophisticated—using AI-assisted text conversations and spoofed caller IDs—while noting that jobless adult children and unvetted caregivers represent the most typical perpetrators. Greenwood recommended 20 protective measures including using bonded caregivers, freezing credit, checking credit reports regularly, and letting unknown calls go to voicemail, while cautioning against romance sc
newjersey.news12.com · 2025-12-08
Victor Anthony Valdez, a 39-year-old from the Bronx, was charged with wire fraud for acting as a courier in a "grandparent scam" operation based in the Dominican Republic that targeted elderly Americans between 2020 and 2021. Scammers called elderly victims impersonating grandchildren requesting emergency cash for bail or expenses, and Valdez collected tens of thousands of dollars from victims in New Jersey and New York. He faces up to 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine if convicted.
goldendalesentinel.com · 2025-12-08
Americans age 60 and older lost more than $3 billion to scammers in 2023, with the FBI reporting a 14% increase in complaints and an 11% rise in financial losses compared to 2022. Older adults face heightened vulnerability due to factors including greater trust, financial assets, and lower comfort with technology, with tech-support scams being the most commonly reported fraud type and investment scams causing the largest financial losses. Beyond monetary damage, elder fraud causes significant psychological harm including shame, trauma, and erosion of trust, making prevention education critical to combating what experts characterize as an epidemic.
telegram.com · 2025-12-08
Elder fraud losses in the FBI-Boston Division reached $89.6 million across 2,689 victims in 2023, with Massachusetts accounting for $63.7 million of those losses, and financial fraud targeting adults over 60 increasing by double digits. The most common scams include tech support, romance, investment, and government impersonation schemes, with investment scams showing the sharpest growth (419% increase in losses from 2021-2023, largely driven by cryptocurrency fraud). The FBI emphasizes that actual losses are likely higher due to underreporting and recommends that seniors avoid unsolicited contacts, resist pressure to act quickly, never share personal information with un
minotdailynews.com · 2025-12-08
Medicare Fraud Prevention Week (held in June) raises awareness about preventing Medicare fraud, which costs the program an estimated $60 billion annually and affects beneficiaries through identity theft, stress, and health risks. The North Dakota Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP) educates beneficiaries, caregivers, families, and healthcare providers on how to detect and prevent fraud, including monitoring insurance statements, refusing unsolicited medical equipment shipments, protecting Medicare numbers, and reporting suspicious activity. Prevention strategies emphasize year-round vigilance, including reviewing Medicare.gov accounts, registering on do-not-call lists, and community members watching for suspicious purchasing patterns among older adults.
rlsmedia.com · 2025-12-08
Victor Anthony Valdez, a 39-year-old from the Bronx, was indicted on wire fraud conspiracy charges for serving as a courier in a Dominican Republic-based "grandparent scam" targeting elderly Americans. Between August 2020 and August 2021, Valdez allegedly collected tens of thousands of dollars from victims in New York and New Jersey after call center operatives convinced seniors that their grandchildren had been arrested and needed bail money. If convicted, Valdez faces up to 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
oig.ssa.gov · 2025-12-08
Victor Anthony Valdez, 39, of the Bronx, was charged with wire fraud conspiracy for acting as a courier in a transnational "grandparent scam" operated from Dominican Republic call centers between August 2020 and August 2021. The scheme targeted elderly Americans by impersonating their grandchildren, attorneys, or court officials to convince victims their grandchild had been arrested and needed bail money, with Valdez collecting tens of thousands of dollars from victims' homes in New York and New Jersey. If convicted, Valdez faces up to 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
heraldnews.com · 2025-12-08
Elder fraud in the New England region resulted in $89.6 million in reported losses across Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Rhode Island in 2023, with Massachusetts accounting for $63.7 million of that total, though the FBI estimates actual losses are significantly higher due to underreporting. The FBI-Boston reports a double-digit increase in financial fraud targeting adults over 60, with investment scams showing the sharpest growth (victimization up 209% and losses up 419% from 2021-2023), largely driven by cryptocurrency schemes, alongside common scams including tech support, romance, and government impersonation fraud. The FBI recommends elderly individuals and their families be
fox23.com · 2025-12-08
A romance scam targeting seniors is currently widespread, in which scammers build fake romantic relationships to convince victims to invest in fraudulent cryptocurrency schemes. According to cybersecurity expert Zulfikar Ramzan, crimes targeting elders have increased 11% in the last year, resulting in $3.4 billion in losses with an average loss of $34,000 per victim. Ramzan advises seniors to verify anyone met online through video calls, conduct background research, and be wary when asked about investments, as scammers typically start with small requests that escalate to stealing entire life savings through fake investment statements.
texascooppower.com · 2025-12-08
Utility scammers impersonate company representatives through phone calls, texts, emails, and in-person visits to pressure consumers into immediate payments under threat of service disconnection, often using spoofed caller IDs and fraudulent websites designed to steal money or personal information. Common tactics include demanding payment via gift cards or cryptocurrency, claiming overpayment refunds, and using high-pressure language and poor grammar as red flags. Consumers should verify requests directly with their utility company by calling the official number, never provide personal or banking information over the phone, and report suspected scams to help protect their community.
wibx950.com · 2025-12-08
Credit One Bank issued a public warning about imposter scams in which fraudsters contact victims via phone, text, or email while impersonating trusted individuals or company employees, using caller ID spoofing to appear legitimate, and requesting personal or financial information. The scams employ social engineering tactics such as building trust or using scare tactics to extract sensitive data like credit card numbers, expiration dates, and online banking credentials. Credit One advises customers to recognize that legitimate financial institutions never request such information and to verify any suspicious contact by calling the number on the back of their credit card.
cbsnews.com · 2025-12-08
Job scams increased 118% in 2023, costing job-seekers over $70 million, with scammers using artificial intelligence and legitimate company names to create fake LinkedIn postings or pose as recruiters offering unrealistic salaries like $1,200 per day for remote work. These criminals attempt to extract personal information—including bank account details—by requesting more data than a typical job application requires. To protect yourself, verify the company independently, research any unsolicited job offer before engaging, and be skeptical of positions promising high pay for simple tasks or claiming to let you be your own boss.
indiatoday.in · 2025-12-08
WhatsApp has become a platform for investment scams in India, with victims losing lakhs of rupees to fraudulent schemes. Scammers use a multi-step method: contacting users with fake job or investment offers, adding them to groups posing as legitimate financial firms, directing them to fake websites showing false profits, and then blocking account access while demanding additional payments for withdrawals. Notable cases include a 60-year-old retired Mumbai resident who lost Rs 2.56 crore and a 35-year-old Coimbatore bank manager who lost Rs 48.57 lakhs.
indiatoday.in · 2025-12-08
PAN card fraud—where scammers misuse individuals' Permanent Account Numbers to commit identity theft, open fraudulent accounts, secure unauthorized loans, or file fake tax returns—is rising in India, with recent high-profile victims including actor Rajkummar Rao and actress Nagma Morarji who lost Rs 1 lakh. To protect yourself, regularly monitor credit reports, bank statements, and tax filings for unauthorized activity, and report suspected misuse immediately to police (FIR), your bank, and the Income Tax Department through their e-filing portal or by contacting your Assessing Officer.
fedweek.com · 2025-12-08
**Summary:** In 2023, the FBI reported an 11 percent overall increase in fraud complaints, with a 14 percent surge in scams targeting adults 60 and older, who lost $3.4 billion of the $12.5 billion in total reported losses. Tech support fraud was the leading crime affecting seniors with nearly 18,000 complaints and $600 million in losses, while investment scams proved costliest at over $1.2 billion, and call center schemes disproportionately impacted older adults who lost almost $770 million—more than all other age groups combined, with some victims reportedly taking their own lives. The FBI recommends resisting pressure to
thecitizen.com · 2025-12-08
Local police responded to a hostage situation call in a residential subdivision after receiving a frantic report that a relative was being held at gunpoint and money was demanded, only to confirm the call was a scam. The scammers used phone cloning technology to make the call appear to come from the victim's actual phone number, creating a convincing false emergency. Police are warning residents to research current scams and be prepared to recognize these threatening calls, which are becoming increasingly common across the region.
lowndessignal.com · 2025-12-08
Internet-enabled scams like spoofing and phishing allow criminals to impersonate trusted sources and steal personal and financial information from victims. Law enforcement recommends three prevention strategies: never provide personal information or payment via gift cards to unsolicited callers, avoid engaging with unknown calls and suspicious links, and verify caller identity by independently contacting the organization through official channels. Victims can report scams to the Federal Trade Commission at reportfraud.ftc.gov or 877-382-4357, or to local law enforcement.
1011now.com · 2025-12-08
**Summary:** Phishing—where scammers impersonate financial institutions via phone, text, or email to steal personal information—is the leading cause of data breaches. Financial coach Cherry Dale advises people to be suspicious of any unsolicited communication asking for account numbers or clicks on links, and to recognize that pressure to act quickly is a common scammer tactic. If uncertain about a caller's legitimacy, hang up and call the number on your debit or credit card directly, and report any confirmed scam attempts to your financial institution.
theintermountain.com · 2025-12-08
The IRS has issued a warning about impersonation scams increasingly targeting seniors, where fraudsters pose as government officials (IRS, Social Security Administration, Medicare) via phone calls, emails, and text messages to steal personal information and money. Scammers use pressure tactics, fake caller IDs, and demands for payment through gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency, often threatening arrest or deportation to coerce immediate compliance. The IRS advises seniors to hang up on unexpected calls claiming tax issues, verify communications directly at 800-829-1040, and never provide sensitive information or make payments without confirming legitimacy through official channels.
Lottery/Prize Scam Government Impersonation Phishing Identity Theft Medicare Fraud Cryptocurrency Wire Transfer Gift Cards Payment App
yahoo.com · 2025-12-08
Elder fraud losses in the Boston FBI Division (Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Rhode Island) totaled $89.6 million across 2,689 victims in 2023, with national losses reaching $1.6 billion from January to May 2024—a significant increase from the prior year. The most common scams targeting seniors include tech support, romance, investment, and government impersonation schemes, with investment scams involving cryptocurrency showing a particularly sharp rise of 419% in losses between 2021-2023. The FBI emphasizes that actual losses are likely higher due to underreporting and recommends elders be cautious of unsolicited contact, resist pressure
bostonherald.com · 2025-12-08
A 65-year-old Hingham woman lost $9,500 in a spoofed caller ID scam where a fraudster impersonated police, claimed she had failed to appear in court, and pressured her to immediately pay via Bitcoin or face arrest. The victim withdrew cash and used a Bitcoin ATM at a local grocery store to complete the transaction before realizing the scam when the caller demanded an additional $9,500. Police warn that caller IDs can be spoofed and that legitimate law enforcement will never call to threaten arrest or demand payment over the phone.
santaclaritamagazine.com · 2025-12-08
AI-driven scams targeting seniors employ various deceptive tactics including robocalls impersonating banks, fake tech support claims, AI-generated personas, fraudulent websites, and healthcare fraud schemes that exploit older adults' unfamiliarity with technology. Protection strategies include verifying unsolicited calls through official channels, using only reputable tech support, avoiding sharing personal information online, shopping only from trusted sources, and establishing family passwords to verify the identity of callers claiming to need help.
businessjournaldaily.com · 2025-12-08
People over age 64 are increasingly targeted by financial scams through social media and other channels, with the most common scams involving investments, romance, and home improvement—including door-to-door home repair schemes following storms. According to AARP, about half of American adults report being victims or targets of financial fraud, and elder financial abuse costs older Americans at least $36.5 billion annually. Warning signs include pressure to act urgently, requests for unusual payment methods (Zelle, Venmo, debit cards), and claims of free or unrealistically cheap services; victims should contact their local police, financial institutions, and report scams to the BBB.
wcpo.com · 2025-12-08
Older adults in Hamilton County, Ohio lost $4 million to scammers in the past year, with 75-year-old Carol Brown receiving up to 25 scam calls daily—a problem so widespread that some seniors avoid answering their phones and miss medical appointments. Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost noted that only one in 44 financial crimes against older adults gets reported, often due to seniors' fear of being institutionalized or having their competence questioned, while FBI data shows people 60 and older lost $3.4 billion nationally to scams last year. Experts recommend connecting more with isolated seniors, using phone apps to filter scam calls, and following verification steps such
valleytimes-news.com · 2025-12-08
Police Chief Denise McCain and representatives from the FBI, Better Business Bureau, and other agencies presented at an East Alabama Regional Planning Commission Summit to educate seniors about fraud targeting older adults. The presentation covered common scams including jury duty imposters, tech support blackmail, grandparent scams using AI-generated voices, lottery scams, and IRS fraud, emphasizing that older adults with good savings and credit are lucrative targets who often delay reporting due to shame or uncertainty about where to report. Key prevention advice included never providing information over the phone, calling loved ones directly to verify requests, and immediately reporting blackmail to police.
dailyrecord.co.uk · 2025-12-08
Good Morning Britain presenter Ranvir Singh nearly fell victim to a phone scam in which a caller impersonated her bank representative and accurately cited her personal details, including her card's last four digits, to convince her of legitimacy. Singh became suspicious when the scammer insisted on handling the situation himself and ended the call, later confirming with her actual bank that it was indeed a scam. She publicly warned viewers that scammers are increasingly sophisticated and exploit people's natural politeness to extract information before suspicion takes hold.
the-sun.com · 2025-12-08
Shoppers nationwide are encountering various scams at retail stores, including suspicious checkout charges and card-skimming attempts. One customer discovered a fraudulent $30.39 charge on her Walmart receipt for a non-existent item and received a refund after the barcode could not be matched to any product in the store; another shopper reported being approached by a man claiming to work for Walmart who asked to scan the card reader with his phone during self-checkout—a tactic identified by security experts as potentially involving card-skimming devices designed to steal payment information via Bluetooth.
Robocall / Phone Scam Check/Cashier's Check
shorenewsnetwork.com · 2025-12-08
An 87-year-old woman in New York was scammed out of $16,900 in a bail bond scheme on Wednesday, when an impostor posing as an attorney claimed her grandson had been arrested for DUI and needed bail money. The suspect met the victim near Fifth Avenue and East 11th Street to collect the cash before fleeing on foot; the victim was unharmed and police are seeking a light-complexioned male suspect, approximately 6 feet tall and 230 lbs, last seen wearing a green baseball hat and white t-shirt.
rbcroyalbank.com · 2025-12-08
**Grandparent/Emergency Scam** In 2023, the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre reported the grandparent scam caused $11.3 million in losses, making it one of the top 10 frauds by dollar loss, though actual losses are likely higher due to underreporting. The scam involves fraudsters impersonating a grandchild (often using voice-altering technology or spoofing caller IDs) claiming to be in an emergency—injured, arrested, or in trouble abroad—and urgently requesting money while instructing the senior not to tell anyone. To protect against this highly effective scam that exploits seniors' emotional vulnerability,
amny.com · 2025-12-08
An 87-year-old woman lost $16,900 in a grandparent scam on May 29 when a man posing as an attorney called claiming her grandson needed bail money for a DUI arrest; she withdrew the cash and handed it over at a street location before realizing the deception. The suspect, described as a light-complexioned male approximately 6 feet tall with a medium build, fled on foot and remains at large with no arrests made as of the article's publication.
techbullion.com · 2025-12-08
The IRS has issued a warning about escalating scams targeting seniors, who are particularly vulnerable to impersonation, phishing, spoofing, and lottery scams that exploit trust and create urgency. Common tactics include fraudsters posing as IRS agents via phone, email, or text to threaten legal action or extract personal information and money through gift cards or wire transfers. The IRS recommends seniors verify caller identity before sharing information, report suspicious activity to the IRS and FTC, and stay informed about scam tactics to protect themselves from financial exploitation.
forbes.com · 2025-12-08
A fraud ring used stolen funds from FBI impersonation and romance scams to purchase approximately $1.4 million in collectible stamps through an auction house, with three Indian buyers acquiring 149 lots using criminal proceeds. The scammers employed a multi-layered scheme where fake government agents convinced victims to send money for "safekeeping," often routing payments through romance fraud victims to obscure the trail before purchasing stamps as a money-laundering vehicle to legitimize the stolen funds. The FBI seized the stamps, though no charges have been filed to date.
aol.com · 2025-12-08
Romance scams targeting seniors through online dating platforms resulted in approximately 6,000 reported cases and over $82 million in losses in the second half of one year, with Vermont victims individually losing between $40,000 to $100,000. These scams typically involve online communication and requests for money under false emergency pretenses, though actual losses are believed to be significantly higher due to underreporting stemming from victim shame and family stigma. Authorities generally do not pursue these cases, leaving victims with little recourse to recover funds, and experts recommend seniors increase vigilance as older adults demonstrate reduced ability to detect scams.
patch.com · 2025-12-08
A 77-year-old Elmont man lost $47,000 after receiving a computer prompt directing him to call a number where someone impersonating a Federal Reserve official instructed him to withdraw all his cash, which two men subsequently picked up. The victim recognized the scam after receiving follow-up calls and an attempt to extort an additional $10,000, leading police to arrest 46-year-old Lin Qin of Staten Island on charges of third-degree attempted grand larceny and third-degree grand larceny.
liherald.com · 2025-12-08
A 77-year-old Elmont resident lost $47,000 after receiving a pop-up prompt directing him to call a number where someone impersonating a Federal Reserve employee instructed him to withdraw cash for an alleged investigation. Following follow-up calls requesting an additional $10,000, the victim reported the scam to police, leading to the arrest of Staten Island resident Lin Qiu, 46, who was charged with grand larceny and attempted grand larceny; two other individuals involved in the initial cash pickup remain unidentified.
otcnet.org · 2025-12-08
Unauthorized third-party companies are fraudulently contacting OTC event attendees and sponsors, falsely claiming to offer OTC's attendee list for sale or rent. OTC does not sell or share attendee information, and these companies have no affiliation with OTC; they are simply using publicly available attendee and exhibitor names to conduct mass spam campaigns with frequently changing email addresses to evade reporting.
cleveland19.com · 2025-12-08
More than a dozen residents in Lorain County, Ohio fell victim to phone scammers who spoofed the sheriff's office number and impersonated Captain Robert Vansant, claiming victims had outstanding warrants and demanding bond payments of up to $3,500 via digital payment apps like Venmo or Zelle. The scammers used convincing tactics including legal jargon, gag order claims, and text messages to pressure victims into paying quickly; some victims lost up to $30,000, and even a corrections officer was temporarily deceived. Captain Vansant warned that the sheriff's office never calls to request money and advised residents to verify calls by contacting the office directly.
cnet.com · 2025-12-08
Americans lost $10 billion to fraud in 2023, with scammers increasingly using sophisticated tactics to steal banking information and money. The article outlines ten common banking scams—including check fraud, phishing, fake websites, automatic withdrawal schemes, and government imposter scams—and provides protective measures such as verifying URLs directly with banks, never clicking unsolicited links, and avoiding upfront fee requests. Knowing these common strategies helps consumers recognize and avoid fraudulent schemes before criminals can access their accounts and funds.
jdsupra.com · 2025-12-08
The FBI warned that timeshare fraud targeting senior Americans operates in three phases—fraudsters impersonating brokers demanding upfront payments, then posing as lawyers promising fund recovery for additional fees, and finally impersonating government officials using threats of legal consequences to extort money, with proceeds flowing to Mexican cartels. Seniors are advised to avoid unfamiliar callers, refuse upfront payments for timeshare services, and refrain from emailing legal documents, while financial firms should discuss these scams with clients.
wwnytv.com · 2025-12-08
Four people were arrested in Oswego County, New York in June 2024 for attempting to defraud senior citizens through phone scams that would have resulted in $78,000 in losses. In the first incident, a 75-year-old woman received a call claiming she was accused of a crime and needed to pay money; she became suspicious and alerted police, who arrested two suspects from Ontario, Canada at her home. A week later, two Brooklyn residents were arrested after attempting to convince a 72-year-old man that his Cash App account was hacked and he needed to withdraw $38,000, but the victim contacted police before handing over the money.
nypost.com · 2025-12-08
A 39-year-old Bronx man, Victor Anthony Valdez, was charged with wire fraud conspiracy for his role as a courier in an international "grandparent scam" that defrauded elderly residents of New York and New Jersey of tens of thousands of dollars between August 2020 and 2021. Scammers operating from call centers in the Dominican Republic posed as grandchildren or legal officials, convincing elderly victims their grandchildren had been arrested and needed bail money, then sent Valdez to collect cash from victims' homes. Valdez faces up to 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine if convicted.